“Whatever you say, Daddy.”
“That’s more like it.” James took her hand again, swinging it lightly as they strolled the boardwalk.
“Oh!” They’d only passed a few shops when Olivia rushed over to a window display, pulling him along behind her. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
The sculpture was stunning. Made of what he assumed was porcelain, a mermaid rose from a crashing wave made of glass, her head tossed back as some imaginary wind lifted her hair. The mermaid’s face was somehow hopeful and sad at the same time.
“Do you like it?” James asked. Since he was watching her more than the window, he saw the pleasure on her face.
“I love it. It would look beautiful in the new house. It’s probably a small fortune, though.”
“Let’s go take a look.”
“Oh, no, we don’t have to. I just thought it was pretty. Really, James, you’ve spoiled me enough this weekend.”
“Nonsense. There’s no such thing when it comes to my girl. Come on.” Ignoring her protests, he pulled her into the shop.
The sculpture wasn’t as expensive as he’d imagined, though it was more than he’d normally spend on such a piece. But he’d seen the look on Olivia’s face when she’d spotted it, and he couldn’t put a price tag on her happiness. After paying for it, he made arrangements to have it delivered to the new house after the papers were signed.
“You really didn’t have to buy it, James.”
“No, I didn’t. But you wanted it, and I wanted to make you happy.”
Without warning, she stopped in the middle of the boardwalk, looking up at him with her ‘I have something big to tell you’ look. “James, I don’t need things to make me happy. This whole weekend, the house, none of it matters to me. I mean, I love it, please don’t get me wrong. But what makes me happy is having you by my side. I don’t need you to spoil me.”
He considered brushing her off, but the earnest look in her eyes told him he needed to come clean. “I need it.”
“What?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, he blew out a breath. “I need to spoil you. The past few months without my little girl were hell, and we were finally getting back on track when this asshole decided to start killing people. I love you, and I need to spoil you a little so you never forget how much I love you. Losing you...” He had to stop and drag in a breath to counteract the shakiness in his voice. “Losing you would fucking kill me, Livvy. I just need you to know you’re my whole world.”
“Oh, Daddy.” She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. “I know. I always know. But if you need to spoil me, I won’t say another word about it.” Pulling away from him, she mimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
Her silliness helped to ease some of the tension gripping him. Leaning down, he brushed a kiss over her lips. “That’s my girl.”
* * *
Sunday morning, hewoke to the sound of crashing waves. Sitting up in bed, he squinted at the sunlight pouring into the room through the open door.
Why the hell was the door open? He looked to his left, his stomach lurching violently at the empty space beside him.
“Liv? Livvy!”
He’d just yanked his shorts on when she came jogging up the stairs. “You’re awake!” she called cheerfully when she spotted him.
Without giving her a chance to explain where she’d been, James sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her across his lap. The damp spot on the back of her shorts gave him a pretty good idea where she’d disappeared to, which just cemented his decision. He tugged the shorts to her knees and slammed his hand into her wet, bikini-clad bottom.
“Ow! Daddy, stop!” Kicking and squealing for all she was worth, Olivia struggled to avoid his hand, but he was well practiced in giving his little girl the spanking she needed, no matter how hard she fought.
“You do not disappear without telling Daddy where you’re going!” He continued to pepper her bottom with hard, well-placed swats while he lectured. “I had no idea where you were. You scared the shit out of me, Olivia Jane!”
She froze over his lap. “Oh. Ouch! I’m sorry, Daddy.”
It was the real contrition in her voice that convinced him she’d had enough. After a few more heavy spanks, he stopped and rubbed her bottom. “Why are you sorry, little one?”
“I didn’t think about your feelings. I’m sorry, please don’t be mad anymore.”
“Oh, Livvy.” With a sigh, James helped her to sit up on his lap. “I’m not mad. I was scared. You should have left me a note or woken me up or something. Not to mention the whole issue with going into the ocean by yourself, young lady.”